SOUTH CAROLINA WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Somewhat cooler and drier air entered the state Monday evening, temporarily breaking the ongoing heat wave. Afternoon high temperatures fell back into the mid-90's for Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday morning temperatures dropped into the 60's. With the exception of the beaches, which enjoyed a welcomed sea breeze, inland counties observed hot, dry weather into the weekend. Late Sunday a weak frontal boundary passed southward through the state but failed to generate any widespread rains. Many sites report less than one half an inch of rain over the past month. The absence of wet weather coupled with 100 degree heat and high evaporation rates have all greatly stressed shallow rooted plants. Statewide temperatures for the period averaged five degrees above normal.

PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE DATA

The maximum observed temperature was 103 degrees on August 8 at Johnston. The minimum observed temperature was 58 degrees at Cedar Creek on the morning of August 5. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall was recorded at Walterboro with 3.00" on August 8. Statewide rainfall for the period averaged 0.0 inches.

                 Precipitation
                Period     1999         Deviation*    Temperature
Location        Total      Total         From Avg.  Maximum Minimum   
Greer           0.02       21.0          11.6B        98       71
Charlotte, NC   0.04       20.6           6.1B        97       65
Columbia        0.00       20.8          11.4B       101       67            
Florence FAA    0.01       23.1           5.4B       102       67   
Blackville      0.00       27.2           4.5B        98       60
Augusta, GA     0.00       24.1           5.5B       102       63
Beaufort        0.00       33.4           1.0A        96       76 
Charleston      0.08       21.6          11.6B        99       72
Myrtle Beach    0.00       23.7           8.6B        93       67

Note: Weekly rainfall amounts are for the prior 24-hrs ending 7 am Monday through ending 7 am Sunday

ENERGY DEMAND AND AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY

                Degree Days      
                  Actual  
                August 1-8
             Cooling   Heating              
Columbia       165       0
Charleston     165       0
Greenville     153       0

RIVERS AND SURF

Most river stages are below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 84 degrees.